Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Monsters Want to Talk
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* * *
The conference room at the top floor of Igugwoden Cathedral.
Luca, Ophelia, and Linea—members of the Dish of Holy Knights—sat across from Saintess Erin, listening intently to her words.
"Is that so? High-level monsters in the dungeon..."
These were powerful monsters on an entirely different level from those that rarely appeared late at night or occasionally showed themselves deep in the forests.
Not long after the Saintess appeared, every monster emerging from the dungeon was a high-level one.
"From the historical records after the Saintess's appearance in the past, and from the priests patrolling around the dungeons who reported that demonic energy was growing stronger and stronger, I had anticipated that a day like this would come."
After hearing Luca and Ophelia's accounts, Erin bowed her head for a moment before adopting a grave expression.
"However, the timing is far too early."
"You mean...?"
"You just mentioned the historical records, Ophelia. Could you read this for a moment?"
Erin opened a book beside her and handed it to the Holy Knights.
"It's a record from 200 years ago...?"
"Yes. The important part is the record I've opened to—regarding the date when the monsters began rampaging."
"One year after the Saintess manifested, it says."
Erin nodded at Linea's words.
"It's the same even if you go further back. As short as ten months, as long as fourteen... Roughly around a year, give or take, before the monsters start wreaking havoc."
"But right now, it's not even half a year since the Saintess manifested..."
Erin nodded with a bitter expression.
"The last time a Saintess appeared was already 200 years ago, so it's nearly impossible to grasp the exact situation from back then... but it's reasonable to assume that the monsters appearing much earlier than recorded is a fact."
The time when ordinary citizens suffered the most was precisely when the monsters emerged.
At the same time, this was when the religious order's influence grew strongest. The most effective way to combat monsters was to fight with the Saintess's blessing. And if it was a Holy Knight who had studied God's words independently, it was even better.
In other words, under normal circumstances, this would be the timing for the Imperial Family to begin serious checks—
"Does Her Majesty the Empress know?"
"Yes. She promised full material and moral support without reservation. She even said she would temporarily hand over command of all imperial forces, including the Imperial Knight Order."
"S-She said that much...?"
Unlike the astonished Linea, Erin spoke in a remarkably calm tone.
"Yes. If we fail to suppress them early and lose territory around the dungeon to monsters... history will repeat itself with more bloodshed. It seems Her Majesty recognizes that point."
'Even so, handing over command authority...'
No matter that they had started changing the state religion to the Igugwoden Church and maintained an unprecedentedly close relationship with the religious order and the Imperial Family...
Handing military command—especially to the Saintess, representative of the Church—
"...I fully understand your concerns, Linea."
"Ah... No, that's—"
Linea panicked at Erin's words, as if she had noticed something—
But Erin herself, who had spoken, nodded with a very benevolent smile.
"To be honest, I don't know much about politics. It's just hearsay. However, our Church will never betray the Empire, the Ainsberg family... or Lady Eirene, who receives God's love, no matter what. If anyone threatens Her Majesty, I intend to regard them as enemies."
"...!"
"So don't worry, Linea. Under God's Plain Fact, we can all become one. We will surely protect Her Majesty."
Erin, more synchronized with God than anyone else in the world, could tell.
How great was God's love for Eirene.
Thus, touching her would mean touching "God's woman."
That was something unforgivable, even by the Pope—no, even by the Saintess herself.
"...I'm sorry."
"No, Linea. Please don't take it to heart. Anyway, to continue... We've dispatched forces to Nellut Dungeon in the Gracia region and Grants Dungeon in the Erilhof region, where monster sightings have been reported most frequently."
"Where should we head, Saintess?"
At Luca's question, Erin looked at the three Holy Knights in turn and said,
"We'll head to the closest place from here—Cheriside Dungeon in the Ainsberg region."
Cheriside Dungeon.
It was also included in the Dish of Holy Knights' routine missions.
Not long ago, the Rabbit Lord had reformed a bandit gang near that dungeon.
"Has a monster been reported there as well?"
"Yes."
Hearing that, Ophelia slowly rose from her seat, adjusted her circlet, and bowed toward Erin.
"Command us in anything, Saintess. I will dedicate this body to exterminating monsters on the front lines."
"I too will be a shield protecting the people from monster threats alongside my comrades."
"...I will obey your orders, Saintess."
Hearing Luca and Linea's words as well, Erin felt relieved inwardly.
Yes. Though she hadn't expected monsters to emerge from the dungeon this soon—
As if foreseeing all this, there were as many as three Holy Knights present.
According to the historical records, once pushed back by monsters and territory was ceded, what followed was a horrific hellscape.
Grotesque appearances that instilled fear in humans just by looking. Roars that clearly treated humans as enemies...
In such moments, the one people relied on most was the Saintess.
Here, for Lord Igugwoden who had appointed her as Saintess, she had to suppress the monsters as quickly as possible no matter what.
Erin sincerely hoped no one would ever experience the unfortunate life she had endured before being chosen by God.
'It's okay. With Lord Igugwoden's Plain Fact by my side... I, we, can do anything.'
Erin looked at the three Holy Knights who had bowed their heads and closed her eyes in prayer.
Please watch over us, Lord Igugwoden...!
* * *
Upon arriving near Cheriside Dungeon, Erin and her Holy Knight companions were warmly welcomed by the priest residing there.
"Greetings, Saintess."
"Nice to meet you, Sister. What is the current situation...?"
"No monsters are visible right now... but unprecedentedly powerful demonic energy is felt near the dungeon."
She could tell even without being told.
Including Erin, everyone here was experiencing an indescribable stifling sensation.
"Um, and this is His Holiness the Pope's opinion, but..."
"What is it?"
"It's hypothetical, but he said we cannot rule out the possibility of the Demon King descending."
"...!!"
Demon King.
If monsters appearing when the Saintess emerged was a constant, the Demon King's appearance was a variable.
From a human perspective, it was far better if no Demon King appeared. The difference between suppressing early monsters and fighting a Demon King was enormous.
The historical records alone showed a stark difference between the two.
Moreover, whenever the Demon King appeared, the nation dominating the continent at that time inevitably walked the path of decline.
New powers would seize the opportunity in the ensuing chaos.
The earlier talk of checks was only for times without a Demon King.
If the Demon King truly descended, petty political games would become irrelevant.
Thus... everyone here could only hope the Pope's prediction was groundless.
"The unusually powerful demonic energy felt now, plus high-level monsters appearing much earlier than usual... His Holiness seemed quite troubled as well."
"I see..."
At that moment.
Luca, standing behind, cautiously spoke up.
"Even if the Demon King appears, I will fight to the end in the name of the Dish of Holy Knights."
"Luca...!"
"So don't worry, Erin. Even if greater trials come, we will surely protect this world that Lord Igugwoden loves."
"I will follow Luca as well, Saintess."
"...Understood. I'm truly fortunate to have you all. For today, we'll confirm if monsters appear around the dungeon... and act accordingly."
""Yes!""
And so, they set up camp near Cheriside Dungeon and began watching the dungeon.
* * *
How much time had passed?
From beyond the dungeon entrance, indescribable roars began leaking out bit by bit.
"...!"
Luca, Ophelia, and Linea exchanged glances before stepping forward and taking positions.
With the 30-odd soldiers who had come along settling into pre-designated spots, Erin closed her eyes and immediately began praying.
Strength for everyone to overcome this trial.
Please, just one more time, watch over us...
As the Saintess chanted the spell with those thoughts, light outlined the bodies of all the soldiers, including the Holy Knights, as if borders had been drawn.
'This is the Saintess's blessing...!'
The essence of white magic from priests, which showed the greatest results among buff spells—the Saintess's blessing.
The sensation of their bodies feeling as light as feathers lasted only a moment—
"※◇□●＃※◀▶......"
"...It's coming!"
Several monsters emerged slowly from the pitch-black dungeon, thudding with horrific, hellish sounds that hurt the ears.
"...!!!"
One, two, three... a total of six.
Even high-level ones, the number seemed manageable.
Holding what looked at a glance like savage bludgeon weapons, they scanned their surroundings while letting out incomprehensible roars.
'...!'
Despite being fully prepared, actually seeing high-level monsters was enough to momentarily silence the Holy Knights.
Savage appearances that evoked fear.
Blood-red eyes resembling vivid crimson.
Though bipedal creatures, so much about them was utterly unlike humans.
In conclusion, their looks alone were enough to terrify.
However, who were they?
The Dish of Holy Knights, who had honed their skills precisely for this moment!
"...Remember: if the enemy strikes first, everyone except the one attacked falls back, right?"
At Ophelia's words, with the backpack containing the rabbit on her back, Linea nodded while maintaining tension.
"Yes. No need to worry."
"※◀◇▶※◀※＃......"
They flinched again at the threatening, chilling roar from its mouth—
'Can't be afraid...!'
Just as the Holy Knights held their positions and glared at the monsters.
"...!!!"
To Erin, who had been praying and bestowing blessings on the Holy Knights from behind—
God's words came.
"W-Wait a moment...!!!"
"Saintess...?"
Erin shouted loudly toward the Holy Knights gripping their swords tighter—
"Everyone! Absolutely... absolutely do not attack the monsters first!"
"Pardon? But—"
"This is God's will!"
"...!!"
At the words "God's will," the confused gazes turned to the Saintess—
But Erin spoke in a very firm tone, uttering a sentence no one here could have anticipated.
"The thing is... Lord Igugwoden does not desire a decisive battle with the monsters...!"
* * *
If someone asked me how this chapter was—
I probably would have answered that it was a royally cliché development.
Usually, what a Saintess does after appearing is hunt monsters and defeat the Demon King.
Smashing those disgustingly ugly creatures with holy power all day seemed fitting for a church obsessed with God.
These days, subculture Saintesses were closer to "sex saints" than holy ones—but fundamentally, the classic role of a Saintess was as a member of the hero party to defeat the Demon King.
Here, instead of a hero party, she had three Holy Knights, but the essence was the same.
Moreover, from the author's perspective, the advantage of this development was that it was perfect for sponsorship angles.
My beloved Saintess and Holy Knights are in crisis, about to lose to monsters?
Click! Divine Power activate! Take this!
—Instant Igugwoden descent. Spears of light raining from the sky.
Argh, death!
What a miracle full of plausibility.
In fact, compared to the miracles I'd caused so far, this was a milder "miracle of God." More believable than infinite chicken refills, as a bonus.
It was predictable, but elegantly calling the predictable "classic," right?
Well, with that insane rabbit that opened a 500,000-won subspace already in the party, I wondered if extra sponsorship was even needed—but watching my purchased pet sweep mobs in munchkin style was exciting in its own way.
With such somewhat light thoughts—
I was slurping cup ramen while reading the latest chapter.
"※◇□●＃※◀▶......(Humans, hello. We hold no hostility toward you.)"
"Cough, hack!"
I spilled my ramen and double-checked the monsters' speech bubble.
"※◀◇▶※◀※＃......(Please talk with us. The Demon King desires dialogue. Let us all lower our weapons and converse!)"
—Until I confirmed the monsters' inner thoughts, something utterly unforeseen.